01
Jun

The complex problems confronting equalization and simple solutions to address them

The Equalization program plays an important role in the fiscal arrangements that underpin Canada’s federal system. However, the program is and will continue to be beset by problems. In this report, the Mowat Centre examines the most critical of these problems: the issues of unpredictability and unequalized fiscal capacity.Read More

04
Jan

Ontario’s Persistent Net Contribution to the Federation

Ontarians have consistently contributed more to the federal government in total tax revenue than they have received in federal spending in return. Using newly-updated StatsCan data, this report undertakes a quantitative analysis of the elements of the federal government’s revenue raising and spending practices to identify which of those elements lead to net contributions or benefits to the federation, with a particular focus on Ontario. Read More

Canada’s federal and provincial governments failed to reach a long-term agreement on health care funding in Ottawa yesterday. Time will tell whether this failure represents an impasse, or just one of many rounds of negotiation to arrive at a mutually agreeable settlement.Read More

19
Dec

As we approach Canada’s 150th anniversary, we can take pride in how far we’ve come as a country. We’ve connected a vast, sprawling and culturally diverse territory into a strong, inclusive and vibrant country and one of the world’s most prosperous and multicultural nations.Read More

05
Dec

Provincial and Territorial Premiers have called on the Prime Minister for a meeting dedicated to the issue of health care funding. The call comes against the backdrop of federal plans to decrease the growth rate of federal health transfers to the provinces. Without federal action, the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) funding escalator will fall to the 3 per cent floor currently set out in federal legislation starting next year.Read More